Miss International Nigeria 2026, Damilola Bolarinde, has officially departed Lagos for Tokyo, Japan, to represent Nigeria at the 64th Miss International Beauty Pageant.
Popularly known as “Queen Dammy” or “The ZOE” (Zenith of Elegance), she was sent off by an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, and pageant fans at the airport.
She left with a message that carried the weight of the moment. “Some flowers bloom where they are planted; others become a reminder that beauty can travel across borders,” she wrote. “Inspired by the lotus, this look marks the beginning of a new chapter.”
She called the lotus a symbol of “purity, rebirth, and spiritual resilience; all of which have been my experience through this journey.” She signed off in Japanese: “Japan, ittekimasu!”
Her departure look was crafted by Ann Cranberry, the Lagos-based bespoke luxury couture brand known for clean tailoring and hand-beaded detailing. Makeup came from celebrity artist Okemute Paul Samuel, widely known as @paul_glam. Her hair was styled by Liisignature, the bridal hair and wig installation specialist, while her luggage came from CINZBAGIT, the Lekki-based luxury travel brand favoured by pageant queens and jet-setters.
Ahead of her flight, Bolarinde held a farewell dinner and fan meet-and-greet in Abuja. She also paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria to smooth cultural exchange and travel logistics.
On the global stage, she is championing UN Sustainable Development Goal 10, focusing her platform on reduced inequalities, inclusivity, and community empowerment.
The 64th Miss International final takes place on November 25, 2026, at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Shibuya. Nigeria has never won the crown. Bolarinde is carrying the country’s hopes for a first.
